Briskin_Tina Individual Certification Programs _2

8/13/2019 Briskin_Tina Individual Certification Programs _2

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API

Individual Certification Programs(ICP)

SINGAPORE 2012Tina Briskin Manager, ICP


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What are Individual CertificationPrograms?

Certification Programs designed to

identify qualified, knowledgeable

industry experts (inspectors)

Different programs cover differentareas of knowledge, skills and

expertise


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What are Individual CertificationPrograms?

Done through independent, non-biased 3rdparty certification process

API is an ideal 3rd party

Certification is based on testing Applicants are tested against industry

standards that are recognized and used with

confidence worldwide


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Benefits and Advantages ofUsing ICP

Provide knowledgeable specializedinspectors

Establish minimum standard of knowledgeand skill for personnel

Provide higher management control ofinspection practices

Increase employers confidence and peace-of-mind


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Benefits and Advantages ofUsing ICP

API Inspection Standards represent the bestindustry practices available

Only people with experience are allowed totest

Help maintain safety and high level ofperformance

Reduce potential for downtime because ofequipment failure


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API Certified Inspectors Are:

Knowledgeable in the industryCodes/Standards requirements related toinspection for the type of equipment.

Knowledgeable in inspection procedures.

Capable in establishing necessaryinspection intervals and specify the type ofinspection to ensure equipment integrity.


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API Certified Inspectors Are:

Knowledgeable in welding procedures and

qualification evaluation. Knowledgeable in various nondestructive

examination techniques.

Knowledgeable in the type of NDE

equipment for the needed examinations. Can act independently and perform the

needed NDE with minimal supervision.


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Multi-Industry

ICP Inspectors expertise is applicableacross various industries

Petroleum

Chemical

Utility, food, pulp and paper


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ICP Worldwide we are international

US and Canada

Europe

Australia South Africa

South America

Middle East

India

Singapore, Indonesia,Malaysia,

Other Asian countries

We test and certify inspectors worldwide:


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Our Expertise

Running certification programs since 1989

11 different certification programs ( basic andsupplemental)

Paper-based exams, online quizzes and

performance demonstrations are offered

Over 15,000 clients all over the world

Average of 45 testing sites for each exam


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Reasons for our success

API standards truly represent the best practices

Scientifically designed, valid and legallydefensible examinations

Professionalism

Fairness

Flexibility Availability


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ICP Worldwide

Made Possible through: Flexibility

Worldwide test locations

We can organize a test site almost anywhere

with as few as 10 people

Translation capabilities


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ICP Scope

3 Basic Programs ( 510, 570, 653)

3 Supplemental or advanced programs (571,

577, 580)

2 Specialized programs ( 936 and TES)

3 NDE programs ( performance demonstration)


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ICP Scope

3 Tests Based on API Standards

API 510 -Pressure Vessel(1989) over 6,000 certifications

API 653 - Tank Inspection (1992) over 4, 000 certifications

API 570 - Pipe Inspection (1996) almost 5,000 certifications


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ICP Scope

2 Specialized Tests basedon API Standards

API 936 Refractory

Personnel

API TES Tank Entry

Supervisor


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ICP Scope

4 Performance Demonstration Testsof Skills

QUTE Qualification of UTexaminers (detection portion) 2001

QUSE Qualification of UT

examiners (sizing portion) -2010

QUTE PA Phased Array method- 2011


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ICP Method for written tests

Certification method based on:

Applicant prequalification through a

combination of minimum education and

experience

Written examination

Special training is not required

Training on commercial basis is widely

available and successful


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Written Tests All questions are multiple choice

Candidates have a right to challenge aquestion

Currently offered inEnglish/Spanish/Chinese/Korean

Open and closed book sessions Fully proctored and secure

4 to 8 hours in length


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Certification Process

ExaminationCertification

Experience/Education Application Review


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Initial Certif ication Fees, in US $

510, 570,

653, TES

936 571, 577

580

QUTE

QUSE

Non-member

price

800 500 275 850

Memberprice 600 350 225 650


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Certification Fees Include:

First examination attempt

Three years of certification

Additional two consecutiveattempts on the

same application ( reschedule fees apply)

New application is required if the certificate isnot obtained


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Certification Process Step-by-Step1. Check the minimum qualification

requirements for your chosen certificationprogram to determine your eligibility forcertification. Our programs are NOT for thebeginners.

2. Review APIs testing and certificationpolicies.

3. Determine the most convenient test dateand location for your chosen program.


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Certification Process Step-by-Step

4. Download the application on your computer fromwww.api.org/icp. Save it.

5. Type in the info filling the application completely.

6. Print and mail your application, all supporting

documentation, and payment to API by thedeadline indicated.

7. Download and study the Body of Knowledge for

your chosen program.
http://www.api.org/icphttp://www.api.org/icp


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8. Obtain necessary technical documents and publications.

9. Prepare for the examination. Training programs are

optional and not provided by API.

10.Take the examination on the scheduled day.

11.Scores and results of the examination are provided to

each applicant approximately (8) weeks after the

examination.

12.A certification number is issued to each applicant who

has provided all necessary paperwork and has passed

the examination.

Certification Process Step-by-Step


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Certification Process - Timeline

1. Application deadline usually 10-11 weeks

before the test date we need time to secureexam rooms and proctors

2. Applications are processed in the order they are

received (if the payment is attached)

3. Once application is processed, (within 6 weeks

after application deadline) API sends each

applicant an acknowledgement letter via e-mail.


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Certification Process Timeline

4. If we are not sure whether the applicant

qualifies, we will contact him by e-mail to obtainmore info.

5. If the applicant appears to be qualified but theapplication is incomplete, we will send him adeficiency letter yes, by e-mail.

6. 4 weeks before the test API completes a rosterand no scheduling changes can be made at thattime.

7. 3 weeks before the test API sends eachapplicant an admission ticket.


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How to Prepare an Application

Download application from ICP

website and save it on your PC Fill out completely in English and

submit by the application deadline

Payment must be attached

May be submitted to API directly

or through a third party

Application lifespan 1 year


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Application Includes:

Names, birthdates, addresses,telephones, etc.

History of education and proof ( copiesof diplomas)

Work history and proof (employment

reference form, letters frommanagement)

Legal Agreements between inspectorand API


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How to Prepare an Application

Use full names given and surnames

Provide a valid e-mail address

Provide all necessary documents to prove

your educational background

Provide all necessary documents to prove

your experience

Sign legal agreements


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Verification of Experience

Is necessary to ensure applicants

qualifications Endorsed by a supervisor and

notarized

Reviewed by API staff and periodically

audited In the countries where notaries are not

available, other methods ofconfirmation may be used


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Employment Verification

The ERF must be signed by a supervisor.

Company stamp is utilized in lieu of the

notary stamp

In addition to the ERF the applicant must

provide an employment confirmation letter.This letter must be submitted on company

letterhead, and signed by a higher company

official.


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Qualification Requirements(API 510/570/653)

Education MinimumExperience

Skills Required

Bachelor degree inscience /technology

I year Supervision orperformance ofinspection activities

Associate degree (2

yrs) in

science/technology

2 years Design, construction, repair,

operation, or inspection, of

which 1 year must be in

supervision or performance

of inspection activities

High School 3 years As above

No formal education 5 years As above


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Important Considerations

If a candidate appears to be not qualified, he

will not be allowed to test If a candidate appears to be qualified, but the

proof of experience is not sufficient, he will be

allowed to test

Certification will not be granted without avalid proof of experience, even if the

candidate passed the test


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When Submitting Your Application

Apply on time

Complete all pages

Pay in full

Type, not write, your information

Provide your name, ID and a unique, valid e-

mail address

Check your e-mail frequently


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Examinations

Held two or three times a year for

each testing program ( dates are NOT

flexible)

New examination version each time

Offered at multiple locationsthroughout the US and worldwide

Fully proctored, completely secure


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Regular Sites/ Special Sites

15-20 standardized test sites

We bring the exam to you

Additional locations are available upon

request - special site administrations

No administrative fees with a minimum of 10-12 new candidates

Sliding scale of fees if fewer


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Preparing for an Examination

API publishes:

List of documents to study

Body of knowledge

Few sample questions

Self-study or training class

Training class is not a requirement


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Study list of documents

For example, to prepare for API 510:

API Standard 510, Pressure Vessel Inspection Code: In-Service Inspection, Rating, Repair, and Alteration

API Recommended Practice 571, Damage MechanismsAffecting Fixed Equipment in the Refining Industry

API Recommended Practice 572, Inspection of PressureVessels

API Recommended Practice 576,Inspection of Pressure-Relieving Devices

API Recommended Practice 577 Welding Inspectionand Metallurgy

American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME),Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code,Section V, Section VIII,Section IX


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Body of Knowledge

Lists all the reference material and

publications necessary for exam preparation

Describes in detail what sections of the

reference material and publications are

relevant

Covers all the topics included in the exam

Published on APIs website


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Examinations

API 510, 570 and 653

8 hours and 150 questions API 2015 TES

4 hours, 120 questions

API 936

4 hours and 75 questions

API 571, 580 and 577

4 hours, 70 questions


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Examinations

API 510, 570 and 653

Open book (about 50 questions, 4hours, difficult problems, requiring

the use of charts, graphs, etc)

Closed book (about 100 questions, 4

hours, easier questions candidates

must know material by heart)

Total 8 hours and 150 questions

Fully proctored and observed


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Examination Grading

Not graded on a bell curve and no quotas used

Initial passing point is determined by the panel

of the industry experts as a benchmark

Test graded by the equating process,

comparing the difficulty of each test to the

benchmark

Floating passing point (usually between 67 and73%)

Passing percentage usually between 50 and

60%


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Recertification

For API 510, 570 and 653

Every 3 years - by proof of experience Every 6 years - by online examination

Questions derived from changes to API codesover the last 6 years

Recertification exam grading is immediateshowing pass/fail status

For all others

Every 3 years by proof of experience


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Online Quiz


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Website Services and Features

Applications (new, reschedules, recertification)

Policies, procedures, exam information

Dates and locations for exams

Inspector search and verification

My ICP: online quizzes, personal info updates

and verification

Inspector directory


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ICP Directory

Lists all credentials for those certified

individuals who choose to be included

Searchable by country, state, or certification

type

Employers use it to find employable, qualified

inspectors in their area

Certified individuals can also maintain their

personal information


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ICP Directory


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ICP Statistics

Currently:

13,700certified individuals

Certified Individuals in over 70countries

23,800active certifications

Approximately 75% of certified individualsreside in North America

8,000 applicants tested in 2011


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ICP Rapid Growth

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

8843

10006

1107411611

12661

14061

15655

17576

19449

23842

API 510

API 570

API 653

Other

Programs

Total


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ICP Popularity and GrowthOverseas

8 years ago only 2% of ICP certificationswere held by individuals residing outside ofNorth America

Currently 30% of all ICP certifications areheld by individuals residing outside of North

America ( last year 25%) API Inspection Standards are the most

accepted and used all over the world


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Registered Applicants

36.5%

39.0%

44.4%53.2%

55.2%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%80%

90%

100%

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Overseas

North America


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Volume of API Certifications

86.9%83.7%

80.8% 79.0%76.3%

70.2%

13.1%16.3%

19.2% 21.0%23.7%

29.8%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Overseas

NorthAmerica


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Countries with mostCertifications

Countries Certificates held

USA 13898Canada 2841India 1559Malaysia 547Saudi Arabia 577Singapore 430

United Kingdom 411Egypt 420UAE 372Qatar 341


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Our Future

Web-based application system no more paper

Instant access to information: status,examination schedules, results, missing

information, certificates.

Communication link to API staff and resources

to questions answered Automatic e-mail updates and notifications

Quicker turnaround for applications/requests


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ICP Contact Information

Website: www.api.org/icp

Customer Service:

Telephone: (202) 682-8064

E-mail: [email protected]

Tina Briskin, Manager

Telephone: (202) 682-8191

E-mail: [email protected]
http://www.api.org/icpmailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.api.org/icp

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Briskin_Tina Individual Certification Programs _2